underpants bomber
I had an experience with US airport security back in 2002ish. I flew from Glasgow to Newark and was pulled aside before boarding and given an extra search and a bit more questioning. I was then questioned at some length at the US immigration gates on arrival. Again in Newark before boarding a flight to Seattle I was once again pulled aside and searched and questioned. In Glasgow a few of us were pulled aside but in Newark it was only me. Later that week flying out of Seattle for Las Vegas I was again pulled aside. Instead of being taken into a separate room this time I was stripped to my underwear in front of the entire departure gate by the officers/staff. I initially thought they were joking but it became apparent very quickly that joking wasn't something they did. I was annoyed and embarrassed. All the flights passengers were queuing beside me, some complained about it (which tells you all you need to know about what I look like semi naked) and I slowly got quite angry about it. After further questioning they allowed me to board the flight. Flying out of Las Vegas later that week I was ready for them. I was pulled aside as usual and I quickly let them know I was very unhappy about it. I was taken to a room where I was told I had no choice and if I Wanted to get on the plane I would need to be searched and refusal could lead to me being arrested. I complained long and loud. Eventually they left the room and a new security guy came in. Bizarrely he was originally from Edinburgh, I explained what had happened in Seattle and asked why I kept getting pulled over. He explained to me that they had four 'flags' they used and I ticked all of them; I was not an American passport holder, I was male, under 40 and travelling alone. This, apparently, is the photofit of a terrorist or at least it was 8 or so years ago. We then spoke about Scottish football and Hearts in particular and he advised me to take the search and go home which I did. I was of course pulled again at Newark on my flight back to Glasgow, which I accepted with a smile.
I've never flown to America alone since then.
I had an experience with US airport security back in 2002ish. I flew from Glasgow to Newark and was pulled aside before boarding and given an extra search and a bit more questioning. I was then questioned at some length at the US immigration gates on arrival. Again in Newark before boarding a flight to Seattle I was once again pulled aside and searched and questioned. In Glasgow a few of us were pulled aside but in Newark it was only me. Later that week flying out of Seattle for Las Vegas I was again pulled aside. Instead of being taken into a separate room this time I was stripped to my underwear in front of the entire departure gate by the officers/staff. I initially thought they were joking but it became apparent very quickly that joking wasn't something they did. I was annoyed and embarrassed. All the flights passengers were queuing beside me, some complained about it (which tells you all you need to know about what I look like semi naked) and I slowly got quite angry about it. After further questioning they allowed me to board the flight. Flying out of Las Vegas later that week I was ready for them. I was pulled aside as usual and I quickly let them know I was very unhappy about it. I was taken to a room where I was told I had no choice and if I Wanted to get on the plane I would need to be searched and refusal could lead to me being arrested. I complained long and loud. Eventually they left the room and a new security guy came in. Bizarrely he was originally from Edinburgh, I explained what had happened in Seattle and asked why I kept getting pulled over. He explained to me that they had four 'flags' they used and I ticked all of them; I was not an American passport holder, I was male, under 40 and travelling alone. This, apparently, is the photofit of a terrorist or at least it was 8 or so years ago. We then spoke about Scottish football and Hearts in particular and he advised me to take the search and go home which I did. I was of course pulled again at Newark on my flight back to Glasgow, which I accepted with a smile.
I've never flown to America alone since then.
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